Safeguarding Mozambique’s Children and Communities

The Universal Peace Federation issues this statement as violence and displacement intensify across northern Mozambique. United Nations reporting through UN News, OCHA’s Humanitarian Overview and UNHCR updates describes repeated attacks that have forced more than 107,000 people to flee within weeks and over 1.3 million since 2017. Many families have had to escape multiple times in 2025 as violence expanded into previously safer areas of Nampula.

Children are at the centre of this crisis. UNICEF reporting indicates that nearly two thirds of newly displaced people are minors, many of whom arrive exhausted, traumatised and separated from their families. UNHCR and partners document heightened risks of sexual and gender based violence in overcrowded temporary shelters. Schools and health services are overstretched as communities attempt to absorb repeated waves of displaced families.

These humanitarian pressures unfold alongside a sensitive political backdrop following the 2024 general elections. UPF takes no partisan position; however, inclusive governance, public trust and effective institutions are essential for restoring stability, protecting communities and enabling humanitarian operations.

UPF affirms the importance of the family as the foundation of social stability and of the moral responsibility to protect children. Dr. Hak Ja Han and Dr. Sun Myung Moon taught that peace grows when societies recognise the inherent divine worth of every child and the dignity of every family, emphasising protection, compassion and shared responsibility. The situation in northern Mozambique calls for actions that safeguard life, strengthen families as inalienable children of God and uphold human dignity.

UPF encourages national authorities and humanitarian actors to prioritise civilian protection, maintain humanitarian access and reinforce essential services. All security operations should fully respect international humanitarian law. Engagement with community leaders, traditional authorities and faith based actors is essential for restoring confidence and building pathways toward reconciliation. The Interreligious Association for Peace and Development (IAPD) offers a framework for this cooperation.

Women remain central to the resilience of Mozambican communities. Humanitarian reporting indicates heightened risks faced by women and girls in displacement sites. Their leadership is vital in shaping community responses, strengthening protection and guiding strategies for long term recovery. This aligns with the Women, Peace and Security agenda of the United Nations.

Young people face disrupted education and limited opportunity, yet their potential remains significant. The International Association of Youth and Students for Peace (IAYSP) and the Religious Youth Service (RYS) can support youth-led service projects, community rehabilitation and environmental initiatives. These efforts complement the goals of the UN International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development 2026.

Economic inclusion is essential for lasting peace. The International Association for Peace and Economic Development (IAED) provides a platform for dialogue among government, business and community actors to encourage responsible and inclusive development in northern regions affected by conflict.

Within Mozambique, UPF Africa and national partners have organised interfaith and leadership programmes, including Peace Road initiatives such as the Peace Road Conference Maputo 2024. These relationships form a basis for continued cooperation in support of stability and recovery.

UPF calls for sustained and predictable support to the humanitarian response led by OCHA, UNHCR and UNICEF. Strengthening inclusive governance and equitable development will help communities rebuild with confidence and restore hope for the future.

UPF invites its Ambassadors for Peace, parliamentarians, religious leaders, educators, youth organisations and business partners to support efforts that protect families, reinforce community resilience and advance conditions for peace. The perseverance of Mozambican families affirms the shared destiny of humanity as one family under God.